led, reminder after 13th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
soon rear of mid-division, reminder after 9th, mistake 11th, behind when pulled up before 13th
chased leaders, not fluent 10th (water), 2nd briefly after 2 out, no chance with winner, weakening when mistake last
pressed leader, led before 4 out, headed 3 out, no chance with winner after next, plugged on
towards rear, mistake 4 out, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden after 13th, 2nd before last, stayed on, no impression on winner
behind, not fluent 10th (water), some headway 4 out, blundered next, soon no further impression
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 7th, not fluent 9th, challenged 4 out, led next, soon clear, not fluent 2 out, wandering about from home bend but always had enough in hand
towards rear, not fluent 5th, outpaced in 6th after 13th, plugged on before last, went 4th flat
Honkytonktennessee is a touch high in the handicap and didn’t look the easiest of rides last time, while Cernunnos has been badly out of sorts this year, and last year’s winner Set List hasn’t been in great form this time around. In a weak contest for the grade, PLAY THE ACE looks like the answer. Although he has struggled off this kind of mark in the past, his battling win over course and distance last time out suggested that he may still have some improvement in him and he is taken to follow up. Danandy has been off the track since 2015 so is entitled to need the run, while Vikekhal is just below this class, and Scenic Star will need to improve significantly to feature here.
Father Edward (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Always behind, lost touch 5 out, soon pulled up, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Set List (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Chased leading pair, went 2nd and mistake 3rd, lost 2nd soon after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 12 1/4l behind Kilfinichen Bay (11-10) at Fontwell 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Danandy (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) 4th or 5th, jumped left 4 out, hit 2 out, stayed on, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Caulfields Venture (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Vikekhal (FR) 8-1 (12-4) Chased clear leading pair until before 5th, outpaced after 10th, rallied into 3rd again 3 out, ridden and one pace before next, plugged on run-in, 3rd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Sonneofpresenting (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Cernunnos (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, badly hampered and unseated rider 11th, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Play The Ace (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 11th until 13th, led again after 2 out, joined last, driven and kept on run-in, all out, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Hepijeu (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Behind, not fluent 9th, headway 4 out, outpaced 2 out, went 3rd before last, no impression on winner but stayed on and only just missed out on 2nd, 3rd of 6, 10 1/4l behind Degooch (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Honkytonktennessee (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, good headway chasing leaders 13th, driven and kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Play The Ace (11-4) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Scenic Star (IRE) 2-1fav (10-7) Not always fluent, held up, not much room 1st, closed 13th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Lovely Job (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
